While most persons realize that many of today’s adolescents are substance users of varying degrees and types, many don’t equate substance abuse and/or dependency with youthful athletes. Sadly, this is an all too frequently seen occurrence. For coaches, parents, educators, or clinicians whointeract with or relate to youth regularly and want to try to understand and recognize this phenomenon when they see it, this article might assist you in this process. In addition, some recommendations are given as to what to do should the individual become concerned about a teen athlete who is abusing and/or addicted to various substances.
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This article is a brief recounting of one person’s personal journey through discovering how music became a “gateway” to discovering the presence of “the Divine” within himself. What began as a coping tool for me during times of trouble ended up becoming a life-fulfilling tool for me to recognize, connect with, and “channel” the presence of the Prime Mover within myself. When I have been able to do this, it’s been something that has not only enhanced my own existence, but also been (at times) a beacon for others to do likewise.
Click here to read “Music as A Gateway to the Divine Within.”
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While most persons are happy to see the various holiday seasons approach (especially the “major ones”), many others find it to be just the opposite. This article discusses the various aspects of holiday-related blues that are sometimes experienced by children and adolescents for various reasons. Anyone wanting a better understanding of this phenomenon, coupled with some tips as to what do to if you spot this in your child or teen (or a youth who might be close to you), this article could be of assistance.
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With the voluminous amounts and differing types of media sources (i.e., TV, the internet, video games, music) bombarding our youth, many parents are confused as to how to be more effectively “media proof” their children or adolescents against the potential harmful or negative effects that might accrue as a result. This article is intended to give parents a little education in this regard, as well as some “dos and don’ts” that they can incorporate into their parenting to assist their teens or children in this sometimes confusing area.
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Have you ever wondered what the different is between “cults” and “alternative religions/spiritualities”? Do you automatically equate the term “Bad” with any form of non-traditional religious expression? Have you ever wondered what makes any type of spiritual expression self-destructive versus self-enhancing? If so, or if you simply want to learn some generic rules of thumb when interacting with persons of non-traditional religions, this article might be for you. If you’re a novice clinician (insofar as this population is concerned) who aspires to work with this population, this article is definitely good reading.
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Anyone who works with adolescent athletes realizes that there are many challenges that face this special population that don’t necessarily befall their nonathletic peers. As such, it is important for those adults who interact with this population on a regular basis (e.g., parents, coaches, clinicians, nutritionists, teachers, managers) to become aware of some of the issues facing this population, how to recognize them (should they exist) earlier in their development, and what potential steps they might take to attempt to minimize or resolve the specialized challenges facing these teenagers.
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Anyone who has ever tried to navigate the sometimes-confusing world of mental health titles (e.g., MD, PhD, MWS, PysD, Med) knows how frustrating this process can be. If you’re one of these individuals, this article might be a simplistic guide that can help you in deciphering the “alphabet soup code”. The differences between some of the more commonly seen mental health professionals are briefly introduced. In addition to this, a little about their background training and commonly engaged in activities within the field are introduced. Finally, a few guidelines to assist the reader in choosing an appropriate person with whom to work are discussed.
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